illustration for the drivers of inequality

Driver Category 6.1

Lack of support for all forms of democratic participation and protection of civil and political rights

This driver covers regulation and enforcement related to free and fair elections, and political freedoms and political participation including: the right to vote, the right to be elected, freedom of expression, freedom of assembly and political protest.

Guiding Questions

Free and fair elections

  • Is there an independent electoral commission that monitors all political elections in your country?
  • Does the electoral commission's remit includes integrity of candidates, campaigning expenditure oversight, voting conditions, polling stations, vote counting, etc.
  • Has the electoral commission made any rulings against any parties or candidates in recent elections?
  • Who in your country has the right to vote?
  • Are some groups excluded from voting in political elections such as prisoners, ex-convicts, immigrants, women?
  • Is there evidence of interference with political elections in your country?
  • What is the nature of any interference?
  • Is there evidence of electoral fraud, interference with voting such as vote tampering or vote rigging?
  • Are there sufficient polling stations with long enough hours of opening, particulary in rural areas and high population density areas?
  • Are there options for postal voting or online voting for members of the electorate who find it difficult voting in person?

Right to be elected

  • Are there large financial or other significant barriers to standing in political elections?
  • Are members from some groups prevented, or discouraged, from standing in elections?
  • Is there any evidence of violence and intimidation used against any candidates or potential candidates with the intention of stopping them from standing in elections?

Freedom of expression

  • In your country is there freedom of expression in line with Article 10 of the Human Rights Act?
  • Is there evidence that freedom of expression is not upheld?
  • What form does any repression of views take?

Freedom of assembly and political protest

  • In your country is there freedom of assembly in line with Article 11 of the Human Rights Act?
  • Is there evidence that freedom of assembly is not upheld? What justification against freedom of assembly is made?
  • Is political protest welcomed in your country?
  • Are all types of political protest permitted or are some forms of protest banned?
  • Are political marches, political opposition meetings and all forms of political opinion expressed in public and the media permissable?
  • Is police permission required for some forms of protest, such as political marches?

Indicators

Potential indicators to monitor the drivers of inequalities in this main driver category

  • Are civil and political rights for all protected adequately through legislation
  • Number of people denied the right to vote in recent political elections (by reason and characteristics)
  • Number of people seeking help and advice from NGOs regarding violations of their civil rights
  • Amount spent by NGOs and any public office on protecting and enforcing civil rights
  • Characteristics of individuals standing for election or in positions of political power (gender, ethnicity, disability, class/caste background, etc)

Candidate Policies

To see related Candidate Policies in this main driver category please click here.